The Johannine Letters: A Commentary on 1, 2, and 3 John

摘要: The Johannine Letters: A Commentary on 1, 2, and 3 John, by Georg Strecker. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996. Pp. xliv + 319. $46.00. late Strecker's Meyer (KEK) commentary the Letters (1989) has now appeared in English translation. Like its predecessor that series, Rudolf Bultmann's (1967; ET 1973), it becomes Hermeneia these three letters. work is more than twice as long a fuller, richer commentary. In demonstrations of genuine erudition technical competence worthy successor tradition Kritisch-exegetischer Kommentar. chief discussion partners, aside from Bultmann, are, appropriately, R. E. Brown Schnackenburg; there are frequent references to other twentieth-century commentators such C. H. Dodd, S. Smalley, A. Brooke, Windisch. Strecker expresses great respect for who was one his first teachers NT (p. xiii; but not Doktorvater, editorial note p. vi erroneously indicates), refers frequently Yet he disagrees major issues criticism interpretation. For example, indicates disagreement with source redaction theories, which parallel latter's proposals about Gospel John (e.g., pp. 6-7, 39). Few exegetes have actually agreed Bultmann this matter, so demurral scarcely original, although I think entirely warranted. Moreover, also wisely reluctant embrace pre-Christian gnosticism an important component milieu literature despite antidocetic position 1 (pp. 26-27). Letters' Gospel's sacramentalism apocalypticism, sloughed off upon later ecclesiastical redaction, regards quite original both 234 n. 7). fact, apocalyptic eschatology fundamental importance at beginning school. Sacramentalism element opposition docetic Christians, who, Ignatius testifies, tied their deficient Christology neglect Lord's Supper. depiction development school, again departs most commentators, takes be than, dependent on, Fourth Gospel. Rather, argues independent, presumably or less contemporary, expressions view, shorter letters, 2 earlier. earliest document school according written end century same Elder mentioned Papias. author wrote soon thereafter. (The then dated, rather generally, half second century.) That Papias chiliast supports well. This turn fits interpretation what him crucial statement 7 Jesus' coming flesh (first put forward article "Die Anfange der johanneischen Schule," NTS 32 [1986]: 31-47). present participle erchomenon must, contends 233-34), future meaning; cannot translated "has come." By way contrast, similar 4:2, insists confession Jesus Christ come flesh, perfect participle. 7, unlike should construed pointing Jesus, parousia, incarnation. …